"TKO" has been used in TV shows The O.C. (episode title: The Mallpisode) and One Tree Hill (episode title: A Multitude of Casualties). In addition, the song was used in the movie Accepted.
TKO
Le Tigre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At my expense guess you forgot to mention
You talk good, I'll eat glass
I heard you read my mind behind my back
Outside, I'm waiting
By the car when you're hesitating
Take a photo
Write about it in your tiny notebook
Don't you know?
You're out cold
Don't you know?
It's our dance-floor
T.K.O.
Hear it on the radio
T.K.O.
Play it on your stereo
T.K.O.
Watch a live video
T.K.O., T.K.O.
Got your money safe
Want to be "in"
Everyday it just gets closer to you
I'll say my piece
And when it's over you'll be on your knees
I got this soul thing
On the go
Read about it at your Barnes & Noble
Don't you know?
It's our dance-floor
T.K.O
Hear it on the radio
T.K.O.
Play it on your stereo
T.K.O.
Watch a live video
T.K.O., T.K.O.
Night is young
And we all know what's up
Beyond the seventh sun
The ocean calls us
Away from..
Don't you know?
It's our dance-floor
T.K.O
Hear it on the radio
T.K.O.
Play it on your stereo
T.K.O.
Watch a live video
T.K.O., T.K.O.
The song "TKO" by Le Tigre is a fierce commentary on the trappings of fame and the destructive nature of the music industry. The lyrics describe the singer's frustration with an industry that values image over substance, as she laments the loss of real attention at her expense. The lyric "I heard you read my mind behind my back" speaks to the idea that artists are often exploited by those in power who manipulate their thoughts and actions for their own benefit.
The chorus features the repetition of the phrase "T.K.O." which stands for technical knockout, a term commonly used in boxing. This usage emphasizes the idea that the music industry is a battleground where artists must fight to be heard and recognized, and the odds are often stacked against them. The lyrics "Got your money safe, want to be 'in', everyday it just gets closer to you," reveal the obsession of the industry with commercial success and the pressure on artists to conform to the marketable image of the moment.
The song ends on a hopeful note, as the singer looks beyond the limitations of the industry to the infinite possibilities of the universe. The lyric "Night is young and we all know what's up, beyond the seventh sun, the ocean calls us away from" suggests a longing for something greater than the confines of the music industry, a yearning for authentic connection and experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Want more real attention
Desire for genuine attention
At my expense guess you forgot to mention
Failed to acknowledge the cost of attention
You talk good, I'll eat glass
Skepticism of empty words
I heard you read my mind behind my back
Rumors of betrayal and spying
Outside, I'm waiting
Ready to move on
By the car when you're hesitating
Opportunity for a decisive move
Take a good look
Pay attention
Take a photo
Capture the moment
Write about it in your tiny notebook
Document and remember
Don't you know?
A rhetorical question to emphasize a point
You're out cold
Unaware of the reality
It's our dance-floor
A shared experience
T.K.O.
A knockout punch
Hear it on the radio
Accessibility
Play it on your stereo
Personal enjoyment
Watch a live video
Visual representation
Got your money safe
Financial security
Want to be "in"
Desire to be popular
Everyday it just gets closer to you
Inevitability of change
I'll say my piece
Expressing oneself
And when it's over you'll be on your knees
Reaping what is sown
I got this soul thing
Having a profound experience
On the go
Constantly evolving
Read about it at your Barnes & Noble
Access to knowledge
Night is young
Potential for adventure
And we all know what's up
Awareness of the situation
Beyond the seventh sun
Unfamiliar territory
The ocean calls us
The desire for exploration
Away from..
Unknown destination
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iamdree.r
Lyrics:
Want more real attention
At my expense guess you forgot to mention
You talk good, I'll eat glass
I heard you read my mind behind my back
Outside, I'm waiting
By the car when you're hesitating
Take a good look
Take a photo
Write about it in your tiny notebook
Don't you know?
You're out cold
Don't you know?
It's our dance-floor
T.K.O.
Hear it on the radio
T.K.O.
Play it on your stereo
T.K.O.
Watch a live video
T.K.O., T.K.O.
Got your money safe
Want to be "in"
Everyday it just gets closer to you
I'll say my piece
And when it's over you'll be on your knees
I got this soul thing
On the go
Read about it at your Barnes & Noble
Don't you know?
It's our dance-floor
T.K.O
Hear it on the radio
T.K.O.
Play it on your stereo
T.K.O.
Watch a live video
T.K.O., T.K.O.
Night is young
And we all know what's up
Beyond the seventh sun
The ocean calls us
Away from..
Don't you know?
It's our dance-floor
T.K.O
Hear it on the radio
T.K.O.
Play it on your stereo
T.K.O.
Watch a live video
T.K.O., T.K.O.
@itsmariama
Lyrics! ⭐️
Want more real attention
At my expense, guess you forgot to mention
You talk good, I'll eat glass
I heard you read my mind behind my back
Outside, I'm waitin'
By the car when you're hesitatin'
Take a good look, take a photo
Write about it in your tiny notebook
Don't you know? You're out cold
Don't you know? It's our dancefloor
T.K.O! Hear it on the radio
T.K.O! Play it on the stereo
T.K.O! Watch it on video
T.K.O! T.K.O-O
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Got your money safe, wanna be "in"
Everyday it just gets closer to you
I say my piece
And when it's over, you'll be on your knees, I
Got this soul thing on the go-ho
Read about it at your Barnes & Noble
Don't you know? It's our dancefloor
T.K.O! Hear it on the radio
T.K.O! Play it on the stereo
T.K.O! Watch it on video
T.K.O! T.K.O-O
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Night is young
And we all know what's up
Beyond the setting sun
The ocean calls us
Away from
Don't you know? It's our dancefloor
Oh-oh
Oh-oh
T.K.O! Hear it on the radio
T.K.O! Play it on your stereo
T.K.O! Watch it on video
T.K.O! T.K.O-O
T.K.O! Hear it on the radio
T.K.O! Play it on your stereo
T.K.O! Watch it on video
T.K.O! T.K.O-O
@Sagh429
I remember when I was 11, this song came out, and I used to rock out so hard to this. When I was 15, I got into Bikini Kill, hardcore. Now that I'm 20, I REALLY want Kathleen to sing at my wedding. That would be so bad ass.
@Recklessyettie
Did you try to book her?
@kaelynmulford5817
she is on tour! got her concert tickets for February.
@AlexD02
How does it feel being 27?
@abigailkamenetsky4130
W9e
@fumekoo
WAIT REALLY
@peterbillionaire
I saw Le Tigre at The Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS. The audience was 100% female packed in front of the band. Everybody was dancing. The room was very happy. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
@paultidwell8799
Bikini Kill is coming to the Crystal ball room and I'm pretty sure I'm going. Although judging by the Local climate there's a good possibility the crowd will be more balanced. We have a woman for our governor and a slew of women in the state legislature, Salem is pretty well accustomed to the idea of Women in leadership roles.
@joebaumgart1146
I saw her back in the day with Bikini Kill and I'm non bianary, so when she yelled for the girls in the front men in the back I yelled "I'M NEITHER, WHERE DO I STAND?" She starts laughing and yells to me "IDK SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE I GUESS!" That was a fun night.
@corinaklies8131
Same tonight, 2023!!